National Granny Square Day on August 15th celebrates one of the world’s most instantly recognisable crochet projects – the humble granny square. Colourful, versatile and beginner-friendly, granny squares have been bringing people together for generations. National Granny Square Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate this much-loved crochet tradition, start a new project, or finally use up that colourful stash of yarn waiting in your craft cupboard.
What is a Granny Square?
The exact origin of the name “granny square” isn’t known, but it is widely believed to come from the tradition of grandmothers using leftover yarn to crochet practical blankets and household items. The technique became an economical way to make use of small amounts of yarn while creating warm, colourful projects.
A granny square is a small crocheted square, traditionally worked from the centre outwards in rounds. While the classic design features clusters of treble crochet stitches (known as double crochet stitches in US terminology), today’s granny squares come in hundreds of styles, colours and patterns.
They can be joined together to create almost anything, including:
- Blankets and throws
- Scarves and shawls
- Bags and purses
- Cushions
- Cardigans and jumpers
- Hats
- Home décor
- Toys and decorative items
Their simple construction makes them an ideal project for beginners while still offering endless creative possibilities for experienced crocheters.
The Anatomy of a Classic Square
A standard granny square relies on a simple geometric repeat:
- The Foundation: Starts with a slip ring, magic ring, or a small loop of chain stitches.
- Clusters: Worked in sets of 3 treble crochet stitches, separated by chain spaces.
- Corners: Formed by adding extra chain stitches (usually 2 or 3) between clusters to create 90 degree corners as the square expands outward.
When is National Granny Square Day?
National Granny Square Day is celebrated each year on 15 August and was launched in 2014 by crochet designer Daisy Tinne (Simply Daisy) and was later embraced by Simply Crochet magazine, helping it become a global celebration.
The day has become a worldwide celebration of crochet, encouraging makers to share their creations, inspire others, and enjoy one of the most iconic crochet techniques ever created.
Why Granny Squares Are So Popular
There is a reason granny squares have remained popular for decades.
They are:
- Easy to learn
- Portable and quick to make
- Perfect for using leftover yarn
- Great for relaxing and mindful crafting
- Suitable for crocheters of every skill level
- Highly creative with endless colour combinations
- Easy to customise with different colours and patterns
Many crocheters enjoy making individual squares throughout the year before joining them into a larger project.
Join the Global Crochet Community
One of the highlights of National Granny Square Day is seeing thousands of crocheters from around the world sharing their work online.
Social media fills with colourful blankets, modern garments, traditional designs and imaginative new patterns. Whether you’ve completed one square or one hundred, it’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate creativity and connect with fellow yarn enthusiasts.
One of the special things about granny squares is that they connect generations. Many people first learn the technique from a parent, grandparent or friend before passing the skill on to someone else.
Around the world, volunteers crochet granny squares for charities, hospitals and community groups, creating blankets that provide warmth, comfort and kindness for people experiencing illness, hardship or displacement.
Happy National Granny Square Day
Whether you’re making your very first square or adding another row to a lifelong project, National Granny Square Day is a wonderful reminder that creativity often begins with just a hook, some yarn, and a little imagination.
Every blanket, bag and cardigan begins with a single square—so National Granny Square Day is the perfect time to crochet your first one or your hundredth.
